Sadiq Amini
Non-resident fellow
Sadiq Amini is a Non-Resident Fellow at ORF America. He was previously Program Manager, Outreach at ORF America.
Prior to joining ORF America in March 2022, Mr. Amini was a Political Assistant at the U.S. Embassy Kabul for almost nine years. In this capacity, he served as an advisor on the U.S. – Afghanistan Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) and as an embassy liaison with the Government of Afghanistan. Recently, as part of the Operation Allies Refuge, he played a key role in coordinating the evacuation of American citizens, Green card holders, and more than 3,000 locally employed staff and their families, after the Taliban takeover of Kabul. In recognition of his services, the U.S. Department of State presented him with the Heroism Award.
Mr. Amini started his career in 2010 working with the Independent Election Commission (IEC). Later, he briefly joined the Permanent Mission of Afghanistan to the United Nations in New York. He also served as the Head of Communication & Public Relations Unit with the UK-funded Comprehensive Agriculture & Rural Development-Facility (CARD-F) and was a part-time lecturer of International Relations at the University of Afghanistan in Kabul.
Sadiq Amini is on the Board of Directors for Immigrant & Refugee Outreach Center (IROC). He is a Fulbright Alumni, 2011 and has obtained his MA Degree in Diplomacy & International Security from Patterson School of Diplomacy, University of Kentucky. He is also an Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Alumni, 2007 and has obtained his BA Degree in Political Science from Christ College, Bangalore University. He speaks English, Dari/Persian, Pashtu, and Urdu/Hindi.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
By Sadiq Amini
Is Japan’s continued engagement with Afghanistan, especially with development projects, furthering the legitimacy of Taliban rule?
By Sadiq Amini
With the Taliban's return to power, Afghanistan is prone to rise of international terrorist groups just three years after the United States' withdrawal.
By Sadiq Amini
These days, Afghan democrats need a champion, and India, under Modi’s leadership, could be that champion – if New Delhi can correct course on its Afghanistan policy.
By Sadiq Amini
A choice hasn’t been made, but non-Taliban stakeholders are eager for a policy change.
By Sadiq Amini
By spearheading the restoration of democracy in Afghanistan, Taiwan could eventually forge a strong alliance with a democratic Afghanistan.
By Sadiq Amini
Communal tensions are at fever pitch as the military seeks to steer the vote.
By Sadiq Amini
In a way, the situation in Afghanistan serves as a microcosm of the status of the wider world.
Background Paper No. 17
By Sadiq Amini
By Sadiq Amini
While the world is still figuring out the politics, the people are paying the price.
By Sadiq Amini
Despite the deal’s deep flaws, the Biden administration should still insist that the remaining parts of the deal be implemented; namely, intra-Afghan negotiations and the termination of support for foreign terrorist groups.
By Sadiq Amini
If China’s Afghanistan policy is anything to go by, it is clear that it is not yet ready to wear the title of regional power, much less global power.
By Sadiq Amini
Afghanistan’s history is filled with stories of collapse.
By Sadiq Amini
Pakistan is clearly worried, and rightly so. Hence, unlike the 1990s, Islamabad has not recognized the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.
By Sadiq Amini
Both maximalist and minimalist strategies have utterly failed.
RECENT Events
Media Appearances
Spoke on the complex dynamics shaping Afghanistan under Taliban rule for Access Hub's podcast.
Appeared on The Record with Greta Van Susteren for NEWSMAX discussing Afghanistan's current state as a nation and solutions for how it should navigate governance under Taliban rule.
Appeared on ‘Opinion Panel’ of Afghanistan International TV.
Appeared on News Bulletin of Afghanistan International TV.
Sadiq Amini as a moderator of a virtual panel discussion.
Sadiq Amini, was mentioned in an article by Middle East Forum.
Quoted in the South China Morning Post.
Appeared on ‘Peace Panel’ of Deutsche Welle.
Appeared on News Bulletin of Afghanistan International TV.
Appeared on News Bulletin of Afghanistan International TV.
Appeared on News Bulletin of Voice of America (VoA).
Appeared on News Bulletin of Afghanistan International TV.
Talked to ‘VOA Dari Radio’ on Taliban and ways forward for Afghanistan.
Appeared on News Bulletin of Voice of American Dari.
Quoted in ‘Radio Azadi’ News brief & ‘Korean Institute of Economic Policy’ News Brief on current state of affairs between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Appeared on ‘C-SPAN’ discussing U.S. Policy Options on Afghanistan.
Appeared on ‘TRT World’ highlighting the need for reliable CT Partners in Afghanistan.
Appeared on ‘Opinion Panel’ & ‘News Bulletin’ of Afghanistan International TV.
Quoted in ‘The Independent (Persian)’ and ‘Radio Azadi’ News brief on U.S. strategy towards Afghanistan.